Under brilliant July skies at Glen Farm, Newport Polo welcomed Team Italy for the 15th edition of one of the International Polo Series’ most anticipated rivalries. As America’s First Polo Club continued its 150th Diamond Jubilee season, presented by Turkish Airlines in partnership with Aston Martin Boston, guests gathered for an afternoon that celebrated international sport, hospitality, and the enduring friendship between two proud polo nations.
This year’s match embraced a Limoncello Lawn Party theme, bringing a touch of the Italian Riviera to Newport. Tailgates dressed in shades of lemon yellow, crisp white, and coastal blue lined the field as guests enjoyed an afternoon inspired by the warmth and elegance of an Italian summer.
The Opening Ceremony reflected the international spirit of the occasion as the national anthems of Italy and the United States were performed before Frank Casale, Regional Vice President of TD Bank U.S., joined players for the ceremonial coin toss.
Throughout the afternoon, guests enjoyed Newport Polo’s signature hospitality. Tailgate 46 was awarded the Stella Artois Best in Show for its interpretation of the day’s theme, while spectators explored local vendors, boutique shopping, and food from many of Rhode Island’s favorite culinary partners. The Sundown Spritz, crafted especially for the occasion, became the signature cocktail of the day alongside Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Stella Artois, and offerings from Dillon’s Patio Bar.
Between chukkers, guests explored Aston Martin Boston’s latest display models, gathered throughout the expanded TD Pavilion, and enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of Newport Polo operations. The afternoon also welcomed several Italian-American organizations and honored guests, whose presence further celebrated the cultural ties shared between Italy and Newport.
Representing the United States were Anna Dwyer at No. 1, Dan Kinsella at No. 2, Sam Clemens at No. 3, and Dave Bullis at No. 4. Italy fielded Lavinia Elser at No. 1, Marco Elser and Lorenzo Castelli at No. 2, Michele Schettino at No. 3, and Milo Ardissone at No. 4.
From the opening throw-in, the match was evenly contested. Michele Schettino opened the scoring for Italy before Sam Clemens and Dan Kinsella answered for the United States, leaving the teams level after the first chukker. The balance continued through the second as Clemens once again found the goal while Italy responded with another goal.
Italy found another gear in the third chukker as Milo Ardissone took control of the attack, scoring twice to give the visitors their first significant advantage of the afternoon. Confident in possession and disciplined on defense, Italy continued to build momentum through the fourth chukker as Lorenzo Castelli and Schettino extended the lead despite a determined response from Anna Dwyer for the home side.
Ardissone remained the driving force in the fifth chukker, adding two more goals as Italy stretched its advantage. The United States continued to battle until the final horn, with Dave Bullis scoring late and Sam Shore entering as a substitute for the injured Sam Clemens before immediately making his mark with a goal of his own. Schettino added Italy’s final tally of the afternoon, securing a 10–6 victory and earning Italy the Perpetual Cup.
Ardissone delivered a standout performance, finishing with six goals to lead Italy’s attack, while Schettino added three and Castelli contributed one in a balanced team effort. For the United States, Clemens, Kinsella, Dwyer, Bullis, and Shore each found the scoreboard in a determined performance against a composed Italian side.
Following the match, players gathered for the Veuve Clicquot trophy presentation, where Italy was awarded the Perpetual Cup in recognition of its victory. Hosted by Veuve Clicquot Champagne and presented alongside representatives of TD Bank, the ceremony celebrated Italy’s performance as well as the sportsmanship and camaraderie that have defined this international rivalry for more than a decade.
Following the trophy presentation, both teams came together for handshakes and photographs with the day’s umpires, Dan Keating and Minnie Keating, celebrating the sportsmanship and international camaraderie that have long defined this rivalry.
This week’s Veuve Clicquot door prize was awarded to a guest from Port Chester, New York, who also earned a place in the season-long drawing for two business-class tickets from Turkish Airlines to any destination in the world.
As the afternoon gave way to evening, guests gathered at the Macallan and Martini Lounge for a Limoncello toast with both teams before departing Glen Farm after another memorable chapter in Newport Polo’s International Polo Series. Italy’s victory reflected the depth and competitiveness of the series, while the longstanding friendship between the two teams once again delivered one of the season’s signature sporting occasions during Newport Polo’s 150th Diamond Jubilee season.
Along with Aston Martin Boston, the Polo Series is proud to welcome partnerships with Brenton Hotel │ Turkish Airlines │ Foxwoods Resort Casino │ TD Bank │BD │ Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers │ Vanderbilt International Properties │ Hotel Viking │ Hammetts Hotel │ Newport Harbor Island Resort │ Forty 1° North │ Veuve Clicquot Champagne │Modern Luxury Boston │ Providence Business News │ Penelope Bourbon │ Clarke Cooke House │ RISE │The Macallan │ Brugal Rum │ Highclere Castle Gin │ Surfside │ Kadeema Rentals │ Spirit Water │ Absolut │ Codigo 1530 Tequila │ Gooseneck Vineyards Prosecco │ Chateau Sainte Marguerite Rosé │ Atria Senior Living │ Stella Artois │ A1 Roofing & Construction │ Grieco BMW │ Kinsella Building Co. │ ROCKSTAR Limo │ Classical 95.9 WCRI │ Cointreau │ Visit Jamaica │ Mt. Gay Silver Rum; and promotional partners including The Cocktail Guru │ Newport Jaguar Tours │ Sailing Yacht Tree of Life │ Island Adventure │ Cocoa & Co │ International Tennis Hall of Fame │ Newport Vineyards │ Elizabeth in Newport │ Newport Mansions │ Sea Newport │ Adventure Kiteboarding School │ Newport Kites │ Newport Classical | Discover Newport.